UPDATE
by Chris Chap

Hello, once again thank you so much for all of the Bulletins and keeping everyone up to date with each other. Things are going good for me.

Work is going good for me at Menards. Everyone is so friendly there, so it makes work somewhat fun. I talked to my store manager last week and he said that I should be able to transfer by November to the cities for a better position. They said that they like to give nine to twelve months of training.

I hope to get transferred somewhat close to Lori's place, so I can then live with her, but I guess if that doesn't work out I do have a lot of friends in the cities that I could live with. Thank you once again for putting everything together for all of the Bulletins. You do a tremendous job with them and they are great to read.

Love.
Chris


STUDENT UPDATE
by Heidi Johnson

Sorry I've been so horrible at e-mailing you. I don't even have an excuse. School's going pretty well, although I'm about ready for summer break! Right now I'm working on a paper for my comp class on the degradation of community as the biggest problem of the 21st century. It's been and interesting paper to write.

I've really enjoyed my bio class too. Lab is a ton of fun. Last week we counted fruit flies for different genetic traits{ just like the "real" biologists}:-) and at the end of the semester we will map our own DNA, so that will be interesting.

My nutrition class is still pretty cool some parts are more interesting than others. Although school's going well it was SUPER nice to get a break this week, I was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed! Over spring break to unwind I painted my room. Quite the undertaking, being I have a ton of junk. Got my room really cleaned that way.

I think mom told you about it, but I painted it a mocha color and my angled wall chocolate brown suede-like texture. It's a pretty cool effect. it makes my room look a lot bigger and brighter than my yellow did, weird but true! It's a lot more calming than the yellow was too. It was a relief to finally paint over it! Well I guess that's all the news I have, I'm not too super exciting. :-) Sorry I've been so bad about e-mailing, I'll try to be better now!

Heidi


Let's Ask Mom or Grandma

Question: Mom, how do you make Shipwreck? (the food kind that is). Doug.

Shipwreck
A Layered All In One Meal

First Layer: sliced onions to cover the bottom of the baking dish

Second Layer: pre-fried and drained ground beef -- seasoned

Third layer: thinly sliced potatoes -- seasoned

Fourth layer: another layer of cooked beef

Fifth layer: sliced rounds of carrots, salted.

Sixth layer: celery (I used the blender with water in it- dropped in a couple stalks cut in chunks --drained it in a sieve and spread it as a layer)

Seventh layer: minute rice

Eighth layer: drained kidney beans

Method: I move the whole concoction aside a bit, with a big spoon (on one side of the dish) for a place to pour the dish full of my home made tomato juice.

Slathered the whole top of the layers with Campbell's Tomato Soup -- then baked it at 350 degrees for about 3 hours or until a potato slice was done for eating!! Be sure to leave enough room at the top to allow it to boil!!


Memory Lane

Grandma Cleo and Grandpa Harry
by Muriel

We've been asked to submit memories of Grandma Cleo to The Bulletin. Although I lack the writing skills of The Bulletin's regular correspondents, what follows are a few thoughts that come to my mind as I sit here this evening.

A few memories from my early childhood days:

I feel special to have been Grandpa Harry's and Grandma Cleo's first grandchild. Because I was raised on a farm about three miles their farm, I was fortunate to be with them often.

During the crop growing season it was quite common to "go for a ride" in the early evenings and "check" the crops. These rides would often end up at grandpa's and grandma's farm for a visit. This was always fun for me as Dwight and I would play out back of the house with our steel tractors and trucks (with rubber, not plastic, tires). We would build roads, make farms and using empty soup cans, we would carve out ditches along the road sides. Unfortunately, these now collectable toys were buried with the "junk pile" years ago.

If you drank too much of Grandma's refreshing, cold Watkins nectar, it would require a visit to the little two seater located in the trees out back of the house. During the winter months you could make this visit to the "one" seater located in the closet of grandpa and grandma's bedroom -- behind a hanging curtain for privacy.

I think of Boots and Beauty, the horses in the red barn across the yard, north of the house just east of the driveway that lead into the yard. I had been eager to ride the horses and one day I finally got my chance. I was lifted up onto Boots (which, if I remember right, was the more mild-mannered of the two) and away Boots and I went -- heading north down the long driveway. I bobbed in the saddle with each step Boots took. This was great! And, such fun! However, upon reaching the end of the driveway, it was time to turn around and Boots decided to head back to the farm yard -- full speed. I held on to the rein and saddle horn as tight as I could. I was scared and I suppose I cried. That was the first and last time I ever rode a horse -- that is, until I was in my 40's and s-l-o-w-l-y rode a horse around Ft. Mandan!

I can remember Grandpa Harry sitting in his comfortable rocking chair -- set by the north window in the living room. He wore striped bib overalls and black lace-up work boots. The boots looked so stiff and uncomfortable to me. I don't remember grandma "sitting"...she was always in the kitchen preparing lunch!

One winter grandpa was going to teach me how to ice skate. He took me down to the river located just a short way east of the farm house. He had an old wooden high back chair for me to hang on to and push along as I tried to stabilize my shaky feet and wobbly ankles. This was fun until my toes started getting cold! I didn't realize just how cold until we were back in the house. My toes stung and burned as I held them up near to the fuel oil heater in the living room. On any other day, I liked to watch the flames through the little window of the heater, but on this day I don't think I could see them through my tears! To this day, I do not enjoy any outdoor winter sports or activities, but I would sure like to sit near that stove again with a good book in hand.

During the winter months, evenings on the farm could get long and "boring" to a youngster. Some evenings, if the party line wasn't busy, mom would dial up grandma on the big black telephone and ask if grandpa and grandma would care to "come over". Now, you might know grandpa and grandma would probably have just as soon stayed home where it was cozy and warm -- but they would come for a visit and lunch. Dwight and I would play "grocery store" with my little red cash register. The piano bench served as the "check out" counter.

No matter how cold Christmas Eve or a winter birthday date would be, grandpa and grandma would make it "special" and would come over. This was always a fun time, too, as we would play games, work jigsaw puzzles, snack on in-the-shell peanuts and crack walnuts, almonds, nigger toes, and my favorite--the acorns (hazelnuts)!

Family gatherings at grandpa and grandmas farm always found grandma in the kitchen again. At my young age, little did I realize all the work grandma did in preparation and serving of her delicious meals -- all done without the conveniences for meal preparation today! And what meals they were! Moist turkey and duck -- roasted to perfection -- with raisin dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy and all the trimmings. Just when you thought you couldn't eat another bite--out would come desserts and huge dishes of ice cream.

I can remember drinking from the ladle in the enamel water pail (white with red trim edge). You didn't waste or take more than you could drink because an empty pail meant a trip to the well house. I can remember "helping" wipe dishes with flour sack dishtowels. Many of them had beautiful embroidery stitches on the corners. I would try to put the dishes away (as high as I could reach) in the proper places in the white metal cupboards.

During summertime family get-togethers, most of the visiting was done outdoors -- in the shade of the house or tree -- except for grandma, of course. She would again be found in the kitchen..wearing her full bib-front apron!

I particularly enjoyed sitting on the front porch and the view to the East over the field, river, and beyond to the highway. But, I remember "misbehaving", too. Sometimes we cousins would chase around and through the house -- in the front screen door, through the kitchen and out the back door. Sometimes we would "sneak" out the not-often-used living room door to confuse and trick the chasers!

A highlight of those summertime gatherings was "watermelon time". Dwight or Jr. had the "honor" of fetching the melons from the well house where they had been chilling to perfection! Sometimes, before the arrival of the "watermelon time", Dwight would take me to the well house so I could peek in and see the melons floating in the pit. We couldn't step up too closely, lest we slip and fall in. How delicious those melons were! Crisp, cold, and juicy!

Early in the morning of March 30, 1962, the telephone rang. It was grandma calling to come quickly as grandpa was not well. Mom and dad immediately left for grandpa and grandma's farm. I was to watch for and get on the school bus to go to school. Instead, I called the neighbor down the road and asked them to tell their children to tell the bus driver not to stop for me as I wouldn't be getting on the bus that day. Grandpa passed away.

A few memories from later years:

Grandma moved to Wahpeton into a wonderful new spec home. It was perfect for her! She now had a new home with "conveniences"--running water, plumbing, washer/dryer, electric stove, etc..........all well-deserved! Here, she continued her love of cooking (even lutefisk and lefsa) and entertaining. Many, many guests were in her home and all felt welcomed. It was here she hosted my High School Graduation Party with 20-25 guests, complete with a decorated graduation cake made by next door neighbor, Alice Grinager.

It didn't matter when or what time you would stop at grandma's house. There was always something special in the fridge or cupboard. I especially remember her Ritz/Date cookies of which she must have made hundreds. Here is the recipe that I have copied from her handwritten recipe:

Ritz Crackers Cookies

Boil 1-16 ozs. dates and 2 cans eagle Brand Sweetened milk for 8 min.
Add 1 cup walnuts. Spread on ritz crackers. Bake 8 min. 300. Cool
and frost with p.s. frosting. Freezes well.

Grandma grew beautiful violets in the Northwest living room window--they were always in full bloom. She sewed many colorful quilts using square blocks cut from polyester materials---giving them away to family and friends.

I can hear her play, with vigor, "Black hawk Waltz" on the old upright piano. Spring and summer would find her "cruising" the "twin towns" in her orange Cadillac finding bargains at the Garage Sales. There was no need to mention trading the Cadillac in for a smaller, more economical car. This just couldn't be done. She needed the Cadillac with is four doors and equally roomy front and back seats to pick up her many friends for outings.

Grandma like to play Marbles (Kick in the Pants) on the marble board made by Dwight and if you sat down with her for a game of Scrabble, you knew you didn't have a chance of winning. She knew every 2 letter word in the Scrabble Dictionary, every use for the letters: J, Q, and Z, and always managed to play a 7 letter word, too! Each day when the newspaper was delivered, the "Wonderword" would take top priority over other household chores.

Grandma always looked so nice -- what you picture in your mind a "grandmother" should look like: The most pretty shade of white hair, a neat, bright colored dress, and -- she wore "comfortable" shoes.

It seems the older we get, the more we understand how and why people older than us "said" the things they said or "did" the things they did. We can all learn from the wisdom of the older generations. Having recently done some house projects, I can now relate to grandma's "saying" ... "Leave it as is. It's good enough."

And, having been soaking my corns while I put down these lines, I can now relate to grandma's "doings"...............comfortable shoes."


Grandpa and Grandma Anderson
By Ben Henderson

One memory that has stuck with me over the years is one 4th of July celebration. We were all over at our house down in Springfield. It was one of the first times we had had something like this . We bought some of those snakes that you light and they grow. I just remember having the time of my life. Another one I remember well was when Grandpa would come over and mow our lawn and let us kids ride in the wagon behind the rider. That was a blast. We have the best Grandma and Grandpa in the world!!


+ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have had a lot of mail this week. I will start with a confession:

I see I made the paper this time!! UGH! If the truth be known, I better tell it now. Yes, I did gash my forehead open on the steps to the basement. As I recall, Marlene and I were having a bit of a "contest." The contest was, How many steps can you take at a time?

Well, she's always had longer legs than I, but I had just as competitive of a spirit, so thought I could outdo her. Not sure how many I was trying to take, but my foot slipped off and down I went. Marlene knew it was a bit more than a Band-Aid would hold, so proceeded up the steps to Mom.

She was so gracious and never slipped with the real story, but yes , we were 'goofing around", I didn't dare cry too much, but needed to cry just enough for Dad not to say ,"See what I told you. You get hurt when you're goofing around". or something to that effect!! Now I feel better, I've bared my soul! Just thought I'd set the story staight (before Mar got on the horn!) Patty Dee


The story of depression days by Elaine sparked other thoughts of childhood days in North Dakota:

I got your Bulletins, Dorothy on my Hotmail. Thank you. The red pepper story was good to bring it fresh again in our minds. We forget so much. Funny what comes to mind sometimes.

I remember Alvina Cooksley sold corsets and mom got one from her, silly!! Alvina was good. I recall during a storm and I couldn't get out to the farm from school and she offered I could stay there which I did. Dad brought her in some frozen beef when he picked me up days later.

Remember how cold it was in the locker in Wahpeton where we kept the butchered beef? I would go in with mom sometimes. We would do that last before leaving town.

We took the eggs to Obergs. I have an antique plaque from Obergs. Neat to have. Remember when Elwood put a parachute on a cat from on top of the barn, Don?? The red table we had in the kitchen was pretty too.

Mavis Morgan


My story on the emergencies of children rearing brought mail:

I thought Donny might be writing to tell me of the stitched dog bite that I forgot to tell about! I am sure my memory of your problems differs from yours!!!

Another super Bulletin! I really enjoyed it, as usual. Keep up the great work!
Donna


And there was one from the general public -- (and dear friend)
From Donna Richards:

OH NO -- DON'T STOP. I love reading these newsie letters. I've met most of the people mentioned, and the Bulletins give me new insights! Love these Bulletins!!!

After all, I'm an honorary SIS!! Hope you are keeping copies of these Bulletins. All this information you are sharing, especially your parents remembering the "olden days." You are all providing information to each other that I can no longer get from my folks. Never asked the questions when I was a kid, or even as an adult. More than once I've wished I'd asked more questions of my parents and grandparents.


And a nice letter from Ardis Quick:
Hi there,

Hope this finds both of you well and enjoying the weather. Jason has had three major ice/snow storms in North Carolina. I told him after the last one he should move back to Minnesota if he wants nicer weather.

Travis was home two weeks ago for spring break. Jason also came home for an extended weekend at the same time. Was fun having both of them home at the same time.

Donna has sent me two of your family letters; nice job on both. I really liked your comments on the rationing Uncle Don. It's one thing to read about such things in the history books, but I prefer to hear it from those that experienced them first hand.

Aunt Dorothy would you add me to your e-mail list so I can keep up on what's going on in the family. Better go...I have laundry that doesn't seem to be getting done by itself....

Love, Ardis


Our Present Staff:
EDITORS: Mom, Grandma, Dorothy, etc.
COLUMNISTS:
Beaver------Ashby Correspondent
Doug -------St. Cloud Correspondent
Rich---------Mr. In-A-Jam(b) &
Kim------and his assistant
Research by Donna------MEMORY LANE

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